OCEANSIDE: Sanchez appointed to powerful state Coastal Commission

Oceanside councilwoman often outspoken on many issues

Oceanside City Councilwoman Esther Sanchez was appointed to the
California Coastal Commission on Friday.

Assembly Speaker Karen Bass picked Sanchez for the 12-member
panel partly because of the leadership Sanchez has shown in
Oceanside, Bass said in a prepared statement.

Sanchez said Friday she wanted to be on the commission because
she feels very strongly about environmental issues related to the
coast. The powerful state panel sets development policies for
California's 1,000-mile coastline.

"I understand how important it is to look beyond just tomorrow,"
she said. "We don't want to become another Miami."

Her priority will be to ensure public access and views of the
coast, she said.

"These issues are very near and dear to my heart," she said.

Bass also appointed Santa Cruz County Supervisor Mark Stone to
the panel Friday.

"They have shown a deep appreciation of how maintaining the
health, safety and beauty of the coast can be a catalyst for
tourism, fishing, recreation and sustainable economic growth," Bass
said.

Sanchez said she plans to immediately start reading everything
she can to get up to speed with the issues before taking her place
on the commission. Her first meeting probably will be next month in
Eureka.

Sanchez grew up in the Eastside neighborhood of Oceanside and
earned a degree in urban studies at Brown University in Rhode
Island. She also has a law degree from UC Hastings.

Until recently, she worked in the county public defender's
office. These days, she is working to open a private law office on
Coast Highway and focus on land-use law.

She has been on the Oceanside City Council since 2000. In that
time, her outspoken manner has earned her plenty of friends as well
as enemies. Opponents have accused her of kowtowing to the employee
unions that have backed her campaigns. A community activist
launched a signature drive to recall her in 2006, but dropped the
campaign before it could go to a vote.

Sanchez fought along with community activists who opposed
several development projects over the years, including a Highway 78
interchange at Rancho del Oro Drive, an extension of North Melrose
Drive and a concrete plant in central Oceanside. On the dais, she
often clashes with the conservative council majority of Rocky
Chavez, Jerry Kern and Jack Feller.

Mayor Jim Wood, often her political ally on the council, said he
is glad to have a local representative on the commission.

"It's certainly going to be positive for us," he said.

Voters created the Coastal Commission in 1972 as part of the
Coastal Initiative, which also created six similar regional
commissions. The commission helps plan and regulate development
along the coast.

"California's coast is one of the state's greatest environmental
and economic treasures," Bass said, "and its stewardship is one of
our most important responsibilities."